How to know if my operator's router is good or if I should change it

With a little effort, you can replace your ISP's router, saving money and improving your Wi-Fi signal by doing so. Next, we'll look at more details on how and why to replace it. But first, let's quickly look at the differences between a Wi-Fi router and a modem.

Index of contents

Difference between a modem and a Wi-Fi router

A modem and a router have very different tasks. The modem's job is to communicate with your ISP (operator) over the internet line to get the data you've requested, while the router's job is to create a wireless network and then make sure that each of the devices in the home receive the correct data.

These devices can be independent or combined in a single unit as a gateway. For example, the movistar router, PTV Telecom fiber or the masmovil router is a router and a modem.

Why replace the operator's router?

1. Are you paying a rental fee for your carrier router? If so, you can save that money by buying your own device. Of course, you have to buy the device, but on average, you'll get the cost back in about a year. Also, a router has a three to five year lifespan (in theory) working 24/7 for 365 days, which means great long-term savings - more control over your own network. Attendant routers often restrict access to some settings. If you're interested in doing some customization, having your own router will give you more flexibility, faster speeds, and more stability. There are a large number of companies whose business model is to make great routers, not to sell Wi-Fi packages; their quality and selections are understandably better than those of the operators.

You don't need to be an advanced user to know if your operator router is receiving bad reviews. Since each operator has a different quality record on the router it provides, it is best to do a web search. When you read the reviews, think about whether they sound true to you. For example, do you need to reset the router frequently? Or do you feel that you are receiving the speed provided in your package or contracted rate?

Router-Modem VS. Individual router and modem

When you decide to replace your router, you can do it with two devices or another combined device. The advantage of a combined device is that it takes up less space, but the advantage of having two devices is that you can have the best in each respective field and also thereafter it means that you only have to replace one device if one breaks.

Particularly I have a coaxial connection, which implies having the PTV MODEM connected to an ASUS AC-88U Router so that the WAN sends it and the latter manages the entire network of my house.

Why change the router of your operator?

There are very good performance reasons why you would like to get a better router. As mentioned above, the router makes sure that all home devices have drop - free Wi-Fi coverage, but coverage is often not uniform. This is because various things affect and weaken the Wi-Fi signal:

• How big is your house and how far away from the router. How radio waves are busy transporting data. Objects in the signal path and the materials used to form those objects. For example, the walls and their internal cables.

It is very common to see an operator router that is not capable of supporting 5 or 6 devices at the same time.

Greater signal strength in your home

Routers are rated for speed and standards, for example AC 3200. AC is the latest standard that allows much faster speeds and works in the 5 GHz band compared to the previous N standard, which works primarily at 2.4 GHz.

Check your ISP's router specifications. Is it dual-band with AC functionality or an older N router? What is your speed in Mbps? If it's an older router, then a new one will definitely improve signal strength.

But a new router only solves part of the problem: if you have a bigger house with thick walls, even the most powerful router will not be able to reach some areas of your house and you will need a device that can extend the Wi-Fi signal: an extender range or a Wi-Fi system. The advantage of a signal extender is that you don't need to replace your original router, but it has several disadvantages compared to a Wi-Fi system.

Better functionality

Improving signal strength is not the only reason you can change your carrier's Wi-Fi router. Routers have significantly improved their functionality in recent years by offering easy-to-use apps, parental controls, IoT security, built-in smart home functionality, and even voice activation through Amazon Alexa. If your operator does not provide these features, you are missing a real opportunity to improve your control over your Wi-Fi.

How to replace your ISP devices

This depends on your own requirements and the devices you have from your ISP. Let's see below some scenarios.

Replace your operator router with another

Maybe you want to save the router rent money, but you have a fairly small apartment. Maybe, you don't do much streaming and you don't need Wi-Fi in every room in your house. The result is that you have decided to replace your ISP device with a higher quality device.

Follow the steps below before and after purchasing a new router:

1. Check the compatibility with your operator. Most operators will have a page on their website with a list of verified routers. If you cannot find this page, contact your operator to send it to you. They may not offer the option to change your router, but most do. Check your special package conditions. In some cases, if, for example, you have the voice packet, it may be necessary to use your operator's router. Follow the instructions included with your new router to configure it. Once you have configured your new router, chances are that you have to give your new MAC address to your operator. This is actually quite easy because it is clearly labeled on the bottom of your new device. Once you have registered it, it will be finished.Finally, pack your old router to return it to your operator so that you do not have to continue paying the rental fee.

We recommend reading: how to configure an Asus router and not die trying

Reasons to change your carrier router

You may have the following reasons to change your carrier's router to another one:

• You don't want to rent a router anymore.Your house is small, but you feel like you only want the best possible devices.You enjoy learning as much as possible about router customization.Your house is big with weak Wi-Fi signal areas, so You have decided that the best option is a home Wi-Fi system.

Follow the instructions to set it up, then register the MAC address with your ISP. The MAC address is likely to be on the bottom of the device. Check with your operator how to send them the router so that you no longer have to pay the rental fee.

You will have to configure it through its web interface on a computer or, with the newer Wi-Fi routers, you can do it through an application. If you have to use a computer, you will need an additional Ethernet cable to connect it to the router.

5 signs that the operator's router is failing

Routers are not designed to last you a lifetime. Heat, dust exposure, and vibrations can wear down the router after 5-10 years. There are certain signs that you will see when your router starts to fail.

Slow internet connection

This is one of the most common complaints. If you've been witnessing slow data speeds for a couple of days, it could be an indicator of things to come. The first thing you have to do is download an application like WiFi Patrol that allows you to monitor the speed of your internet connection.

You will also be able to look beyond the internet connection speeds to see if the speed increases or decreases even more. If you contact your operator and they tell you that there is no problem in the service, chances are you will have to replace your router.

Repeated connection cuts

A faulty router interrupts service frequently. You will notice that your devices continue to lose internet connectivity, even when the connection settings are correctly programmed.

Try to reset the router and call the provider to reconfigure it. If nothing helps, you will know that you have an outdated router that needs to be replaced.

The router does not connect correctly

If all of your cables are connected correctly and you still can't connect to the internet, you'll need to find out if it's the router, the computer, or a network provider failure.

To do it in one step, connect the router to the computer with an Ethernet cable. If the connection works well this time, then it was the wireless network card that prevented you from connecting to the internet.

If you still can't connect, you have to try the router. If it's faulty, you'll probably see orange lights flashing. Unplug the router and reconnect it to see if the problem is resolved. You can also reset the router to its factory default settings to see if that helps. The router will take a few minutes to connect again with the service provider.

Sometimes, it is not the operator's router that fails, as it can also be a problem with the computer software. Run the antivirus scan on your computer to find out if your device has been affected by a virus or malware. If everything looks good, install another browser and use it to connect to the internet. Still unable to connect? Call your service provider.

Router lights indicate a problem

Routers have a set of lights that indicate the type of problem present. D-Link routers, for example, have a power light that is supposed to be a solid green color when connected to a power source.

The internet light should also be solid green or flashing green. If it is a solid orange, it means that the router cannot connect to the internet. If this is the case, go to the network settings of your computer and restore the default internet settings. You will find this in the "Advanced Options" tab of the "Internet Options" menu. If this doesn't help, find out if there's a problem with the internet operator.

The router works unstably

If the connection is sometimes good and sometimes bad, you may need to update the router's firmware. Outdated firmware could prevent your router from offering you a constant internet connection. To fix this problem, visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest firmware available. This should fix bugs and security issues if any.

Sometimes it helps to use another computer to connect to the internet and see if it is your computer that is really causing the problem. If you've managed to rule out everything else and the problem still persists, you know that you and the operator's router have to separate.

Final words and conclusion

Setting up a new router takes a bit of work, but it's a straightforward path with lots of material from ISPs, manufacturers, and bloggers. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but for anyone looking to improve their Wi-Fi, a router from a specialized manufacturer will invariably be of better quality than those provided by an internet operator.

We recommend you read the best routers on the market

If you have worked through these suggestions and the router is still not working properly, it is time to look into getting a new one. There are cheap solutions like the Xiaomi Mi Router 3C like the magnificent Asus or Netgear. Are you still using your operator's router? Are you considering changing it? Or do you have one? Which one? We want to know what network you have mounted at home.